Little Sesame x Fly By Jing = Spicy Hummus that Will Light Your Fire
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Photo: Scott suchman for little sesame
By Tim Ebner / Edible DC
Edible DC had a chance to sit down with Nick Wiseman, co-founder and CEO of DC’s Little Sesame, which launched a consumer-packaged goods line of their freshly spun hummus in June 2021. Since the launch, four flavors have been developed: Smooth Classic, Jammy Tomato, Caramelized Onion and Herby Jalapeño.
Little Sesame’s latest news is a partnership with Sichuan chili crisp cult brand, Fly By Jing. A woman-owned company, Fly By Jing was founded by Jing Gao who has created a line of pantry staples inspired by the renowned flavors of her hometown of Chengdu, China. An event to introduce the new product, Pumpkin Chili Crisp Hummus, to the public, at an event held at Maketto, tonight, March 16, with Erik Bruner-Yang. (The event is now sold out.)
Edible DC: How did this collaboration with Fly By Jing come about? And where did the idea for a Pumpkin Chili Crisp Hummus come from?
Nick Wiseman: We started eating our hummus with chili crisp and it was so good. So we knew we had to make it happen. We were inspired by Jing, both her story and her uncensored Chinese flavors. So we reached out. And the rest is history. We took it a bunch of different directions, but ultimately landed on pumpkin since the earthiness and sweetness played so well against the bold chili crisp.
EDC: Can you talk about the launch date and how folks can find this hummus? Do you plan to go further beyond a limited release? Any specifics you have is great.
Nick: We will have a limited release available in March 2023 at our flagship Little Sesame shop in DC, plus a super cool line up of independent retailers. You’ll be able to find it at Each Peach Market in DC, Pop Up Grocer (where the entire Little Sesame hummus line up is among the inaugural cohort of brands in their first permanent brick and mortar location) in NYC and at Wine + Eggs in Los Angeles.
EDC: Talk about your dinner series. And where can folks go to book a ticket to the Maketto party?
Nick: Our Little Sesame dinner series began in our basement pop-up in 2016 as a means to engage with the Little Sesame community, push the envelope creatively, test new recipes and collaborate with chefs, brands and businesses we love. We’ve hosted them across the US, in a 5000 acre field under the big sky on our chickpea farm in Montana, at Jacobsen salt farm on the coast of Oregon with a cast of farmers, chefs and winemakers and in our backyard in DC. At tonight’s dinner series, Little Sesame will be co-hosting a dinner with our friends at Fly By Jing at Maketto with Erik-Bruner Yang. (The event is now sold out.)
Menu for Little Sesame x Fly By Jing Dinner
Little Sesame Hummus, Winter Squash, Fly By Jing Chili Crisp, Honey & Cilantro,
Served with Sourdough Scallion Pancake
Raw Oysters, A Bunch of Sauces
Dumplings, Herbs, Fly By Jing Sichuan Gold Chili Oil
Eggplant, Labneh, Fly By Jing Warming Tribute Pepper, Rice Cake
Brisket Za’atar Flatbread, House Ferments, Local Vegetables
Welcome cocktail to start and dinner served with a selection of beer & natural wine
EDC: Are there plans for future partnerships and/or dinners?
Nick: Yes, it’s a big part of our brand. Travel, adventure, exploring on the road—we get our inspiration from these things and hope you feel that vibe in every package of hummus we make.
Little Sesame, 1828 L St NW, Washington, DC. Open M-F, 10:30 am - 4pm.
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ABOUT LITTLE SESAME
Little Sesame’s freshly spun hummus is made with 100% regeneratively farmed chickpeas grown by farmer Casey Bailey under the big sky in Montana. The recipe was created by Little Sesame’s founders, chefs Nick Wiseman & Ronen Tenne in their flagship restaurant in Washington, D.C. The hummus is super smooth, layered with rich tahini and brightened with freshly squeezed lemon juice. It is also certified organic, non-GMO project verified and kosher and can be found in Little Sesame’s flagship restaurant in Washington D.C., on the shelves at 800+ retailers across the nation including: Whole Foods Market, Sprouts, Erewhon, and Foxtrot. Follow along @eatlittlesesame
MEDIA CONTACT: Maddy beckwith maddy@eatlittlesesame.com 202-302-0375
